Office equipment that makes it possible to send and receive letters, medical reports, laboratory reports, and insurance claims is called a ______.

A facsimile machine, commonly known as a fax machine, is specifically designed to send and receive documents over telephone lines. This includes letters, medical reports, laboratory reports, and insurance claims, making it a vital piece of equipment in medical and administrative office settings where timely communication of documents is essential.

The use of a facsimile machine allows for the quick transmission of documents, often reducing the time it takes to deliver critical information compared to traditional mailing methods. This capability is crucial in the healthcare environment, where prompt communication can impact patient care and administrative efficiency.

In contrast, a copy machine is primarily used for duplicating hard copies of documents, a dictation machine focuses on recording audio for transcription, and a printer produces physical copies from digital documents but does not facilitate the sending and receiving of documents like a fax machine does. Therefore, the unique functionality of the facsimile machine aligns perfectly with the needs described in the question.